East Ross Young pipers and drummers rise up the ranks after performing at World Championships

Twenty
three East Ross school pupils who are members of Ross and Cromarty Pipes and Drum School (RACPADS) travelled south to
the recent World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow This is a massive achievement for any band,
but even more so when the ages of this bands members are taken into
consideration.

By
qualifying for the final, it means that the band finished in the top 12 in the world
for their category and they have now been promoted to the new grade - Novice
Juvenile (A). This follows on from their success in the European
Championships held in June which saw the band be awarded the Jim Baxter Shield
for their performance.

The
bands members are all pupils from East Ross schools and commit to this Area
groups activities as an extension to their tuition from the Highland Council’s
Instrumental Tuition Service. RACPADS members are tutored by Niall
Matheson (pipes) and Drew Caldwell (drumming), who are both rightly proud of their
pupils achievements.

The
Highland Council’s Music Development Officer, Norman Bolton said: “The Council
continues to be fully supportive of this additional aspect of pupils education
across the region. The commitment and devotion to RACPADS by pupils, their
parents and staff has led to great success over the past year. Piping is
an integral part of our areas heritage, and in addition to all the other
musical genres we are able to offer access to through our Tuition Service, we
can be very proud of the achievements of the many talented young people in
Highland.”